Emerald Sea, red tsingy and highland forests around the most beautiful bay in the Indian Ocean.
At the very north of the island, Diego Suarez watches over an immense bay where colonial history, deserted beaches and fishing villages meet. It’s the gateway to a surprisingly varied region: within an hour’s drive on dirt tracks you pass from the turquoise waters of the Emerald Sea to the red formations of the Red Tsingy, then to the cool tropical forest of Montagne d’Ambre.
The Three Bays and their coastal trail, the Emerald Sea aboard a traditional dhow, Montagne d’Ambre National Park and its waterfalls, the Red Tsingy at sunset, and further south the Ankarana massif with its suspension bridges over the grey tsingy.
The North lends itself to combined stays: a few days of 4×4 exploring, then relaxing on the beaches of Sakalava or Orangea. Board-sport enthusiasts will find one of the best kitesurfing spots in the Indian Ocean.
Tour · North
Arrival in Nosy Be → Lemurs at Lokobe → Nosy Be → Ambanja → Andrafiamena Andavakoera Park → Anivorano Nord → Diego Suarez → Iharana “Ankarana Massif” → Iharana → Nosy Komba
Guaranteed departures
Tour · North
Arrival in Nosy Be (international flight) → Visit to the Millot plantation → Visit to the Tsingy de l'Iharana → Visit to the Red Tsingy → Visit to the Three Bays → Visit to Eastern Ankarana → Visit to Nosy Tanikely → Visit to Nosy Iranja → Free day → Transfer to Nosy Be airport
Tour · North
Antananarivo → Diego Suarez: the Emerald Sea → Diego Suarez → Joffre Ville → Andrafiamena Andavakoera Park → The Road to the Tsingy → Iharana « Ankarana Massif » → Iharana → Nosy Be
The best time to discover Diego Suarez & the North: April → December.
Recommended time on site: 6 to 9 days.
Domestic flight Tana → Diego (1 h 45).
The varatraza trade wind blows hard from June to September — great for kitesurfing, less so for boat trips. Bring cash: few ATMs outside Diego. Visit Montagne d'Ambre early in the morning for the crowned lemurs.
